Graduating Senior Awards
The John William Barnett Prize for Academic Excellence in Law is awarded to the student in each graduating class who is ranked first in the class at the time of commencement.
The Clover Award recognizes a student for courage, tenacity, advocacy and empathy in zealous and selfless commitment to indigent defense and social justice lawyering.
The Custer-Tuggle Award of Excellence in Family Law recognizes the student who displays outstanding skills in domestic relations law.
The Daisy Hurst Floyd Excellence in Leadership Award honors a graduating student whose leadership within a student organization reflects a strong commitment to helping others and providing meaningful service to the community.
The Edward J. Henning Memorial Award is presented to an outstanding student interested and involved in dispute resolution.
Faculty Award for Outstanding Senior is given to the graduating senior who has displayed significant academic and leadership qualities.
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award was established in 1969 by the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Program to recognize an outstanding student in trial practice and procedure.
The James C. Estes Moot Court Award is awarded to a member of the third-year class in recognition of outstanding performance in moot court.
The James C. Rehberg Award was established in 1983 by the Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund in honor of Professor James C. Rehberg, who served with great distinction on the faculty of Mercer Law School beginning in 1949. The award is presented to the graduating senior who, in the judgment of the selection committee, best exemplifies the standards of professionalism and expertise in real estate law set by Professor Rehberg.
The Mercer Law School Distinguished Leader Award goes to a graduating student who has demonstrated the traits and qualities expected of a good and effective leader.
The Mercer Law Distinguished Service Award is an award from the dean to a student who demonstrates outstanding public service to the Law School and/or the community.
Mercer-Oxford Human Rights Scholars are students who have a demonstrated expertise in, and commitment to, international law and human rights. Mercer-Oxford Human Rights Scholars are selected by a University-wide committee and attend an intensive workshop at Oxford University where they study current human rights crises around the world.
The Judge Richard Mills Prize for Outstanding Law Review Service is an award for a graduating law student who is a current member of the Mercer Law Review (not including the editor-in-chief) in recognition of his/her outstanding contributions and service to the publication of the law review. This award is made possible by Judge Richard Mills, a 1957 graduate of Mercer Law and former member of the Law Review’s board of editors.
The Nadler Award is given to the editor-in-chief of the Mercer Law Review.
National Association of Women Lawyers Award is presented to the outstanding woman law student indicated by academic achievement and motivation, tenacity, and drive, who shows promise to contribute in the future to the advancement of women in society and who presents a personable and professional image.
The Outstanding Solicitor Award is given to graduating seniors who have excelled in client counseling and negotiation competitions.
The Rusty Gunn Award was established by the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association in memory of long-time member Robert R. (Rusty) Gunn, II, a member of the class of 1977. This award is presented to a student who quietly leads with strength, intelligence, and good humor and is held in the highest regard by fellow students and the faculty.
Ruth T. West Award for Advocacy and Leadership is given in honor of Ruth T. West, valedictorian of the class of 1974, editor-in-chief of the Mercer Law Review, an outstanding alumna, and is given to the student who is recognized at Mercer Law School for contribution to the programs at the Law School, advocacy and leadership.
The Honorable W. Louis Sands Legal Eagle Award is awarded to a third-year law student for financial assistance with bar preparation, who has a demonstrated commitment to public service or community service, and has performed well academically.
The State Bar of Georgia Environmental Law Award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of environmental law.
The State Bar of Georgia Tax Award goes to an outstanding graduate in the area of tax law.
The Walker P. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Award was established in 2001 by the William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court to recognize a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in litigation skills and a keen sense of professionalism and ethics while a student at Mercer Law School. This award honors the memory of Superior Court Judge Walker P. Johnson, Jr., an adjunct faculty member and great friend of the School of Law.
